Sunday, August 21, 2011

A ministry to birth mothers and other troubled women - Genesis Center

Does our church or ministry help birth families?  Specifically birth mothers? 

Here is an example of ministry to birth mothers and other troubled women that the Moss-Deere Life Group at Lake Pointe Rockwall is doing.

What is Genesis Center?

Genesis Women's Shelter is a Christ centered home for abused and addicted women based just this side of Kaufman.  They house up to 40 women at a time, along with some of their children.  Most of the women come from a background of extreme abuse by spouses, parents, or just the world in general.  Many have a history of substance abuse and addiction and homelessness.  All have a very real need for Jesus in their lives.  Genesis offers them this.  As the name implies, Genesis gives them a new beginning by giving them a safe environment to recuperate, develop a relationship with Christ, and escape their current situation, whatever that may be.  The program at Genesis is very strict, with the intent of pushing these ladies toward self sufficiency and helping them break free from their past.  The ladies must commit to a one year program and must adhere to very strict rules and guidelines.  If they are unwilling to do so, they are not allowed to stay. 

How are responding?

We are spending time with the ladies and children and making friends with them, both in our class and church and at their place.  We are transporting them, hosting them and serving them.  We are honoring them, blessing them, and mostly treating them as equals to ourselves.  We want them to know what Christian families look like, what a Christian church and the Body of Christ looks like, and that they are accepted, welcomed and belong here.  

We view Genesis Center as our primary local ministry, and we are dedicated to doing the hard stuff that comes with this type of ministry.   These women will sometimes fail,  and they will eventually get out of Genesis and face tough problems and decisions.  Some will try to get their children back, and some will try to reconcile with family.  They will have to learn to provide for themselves and their children. It is different now though than before; they have new tools and knowledge, they have support of others, and they have Jesus.  We will be there with them.  We will  be the Body of Christ to them.  We will let them know that our church home is their home, and that they will always be welcomed by us.

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